Bitonal
Using two keys at the same time 🎹🎹
Memory tip: Think “bi-” = two → like bilingual means two languages, bitonal means two keys.
Tempo Marking
Words that tell how fast or slow to play 🎵⏱️
Memory tip: Think of a speed limit sign on the music — “grave” = super slow, “allegro” = fast & happy.
Phrygian Mode
Minor scale with 2nd note lowered 🎶⬇️2
Memory tip: Think “Phrygian = Frightening” → the lowered 2nd makes it sound dark, spooky, almost like movie villain music.
Ionian Mode
like a major scale
Expression Marking
ymbols/words showing how to play with feeling 🎼💖
Memory tip: Think of it as the music’s emotions menu — it tells you to be soft, loud, happy, or sad.
Melody Movement
How a melody moves up and down in pitch 🎶⬆️⬇️
Memory tip: Imagine the melody as a roller coaster—sometimes it climbs, sometimes it dips! 🎢
Locrian Mode
Minor scale with 2nd & 5th notes lowered 🎶⬇️2⬇️5
Memory tip: Think “Locrian = Loco” → sounds unstable or tense, like it’s “crazy” compared to other modes.
Modal
Music based on a specific mode 🎵📐
Memory tip: Think “modal = mode-al” → like it follows the rules of a mode.
Contrary Voice Motion
music voices move in opposite directions
Mixolydian Mode
Major scale with 7th note lowered 🎶⬇️7
Memory tip: Think “Mixolydian = Mellow 7” → sounds major but a bit bluesy or relaxed because of that lowered seventh.
Tutti
Everyone plays together 🎻🎺🎹
Memory tip: Think “Tutti = Total team” → after a solo, the whole orchestra jumps back in!
Ostinato
Repeated musical pattern 🔁🎵
Memory tip: Think “Ostinato = On repeat” → like your favorite song loop you can’t get out of your head.
Melody Density
How full or thin the melody sounds 🎶🌿➡️🌳
Memory tip: Think “density = layers” → a sparse melody is like a single tree, a dense melody is like a whole forest.
Lydian Mode
Major scale with 4th note raised 🎶⬆️4
Memory tip: Think “Lydian = Lifting 4” → it sounds bright and dreamy, like it’s floating above normal major. ☁️✨
Drone
A note or chord held continuously 🔊🎵
Memory tip: Think “drone = drone hum” → like a buzzing or humming that stays in the background the whole time. 🐝
Secondary Dominant Chords
Chords that temporarily act as “dominant” for another chord 🎹➡️🎶
Memory tip: Think “secondary = side mission” → it’s like a mini spotlight for a chord other than the main key. ✨
A Due
Both players play the same part 🎷🎺🎵
Memory tip: Think “A Due = a duo” → the two musicians team up to play together. 🤝
Heterophony
Same melody, slightly different versions at the same time 🎶🎭
Memory tip: Think “hetero = different” → like twins wearing slightly different outfits, but following the same path. 👯♀️
German Augmented Sixth
Chord with ♭6, 1, ♯4, ♭3 🎹💥
Memory tip: Think “German = dramatic” → it builds tension that wants to resolve, perfect for a suspenseful musical moment. ⚡
French Augmented Sixth
Chord with ♭6, 1, ♯4, 2 🎹✨
Memory tip: Think “French = fancy” → a bright, stylish tension that resolves elegantly. 🥖🎶
Soli
when a section is featured as a solo section
Authentic Cadence
Dominant → Tonic, sounds finished ✅🎶
Memory tip: Think “authentic = real ending” → like the period at the end of a sentence.
Augmented Sixth Chords
Chords with ♯4 & ♭6 that lead to dominant or tonic 🎹➡️🎶
Memory tip: Think “augmented sixth = tension builder” → it pushes music forward like a musical spring. 🪛🎵
Half Cadence
Ends on dominant, feels unfinished 🎵❗
Memory tip: Think “half = not done yet” → like a cliffhanger in music waiting for resolution. 🧗♂️
